Sunday, May 30, 2010

BP (NYSE:BP): Failure Of Top Kill, New Attempt In Progress

Much anticipation built on Saturday as the conclusion was drawing near of BP's (NYSE:BP) "top kill" attempt. The devastating news came Saturday evening when BP announced their attempts to stop the oil spill were a failure.

BP's chief operating officer Doug Suttles said, "after three full days, we have been unable to stop the oil flow from the well, so we now believe it is time to move on to another option." He also stated their new effort will be "a very complex operation."

The new effort by BP, known as the "lower marine riser package," is as unsure of a oil containment procedure as the "top kill" was. It also has never been tried at such depths of over a mile below sea level. It will take a minimum of 4 days to install and even if successful, will still only be a band-aid effort.

Suttles also stated, it would aid in capturing "a great majority" of the spilling oil. The bottom line is only the relief well that is being drilled will put the spewing oil to a complete halt. The downside is that the relief well is not expected to be done until sometime in August. Which means that the devastation that the oil has caused will continue on for at least the next 2-3 months. Not to mention how much more of the crude oil will be in the ocean at that time. As well as hitting our shorelines, and killing more marine life.